Middle East respiratory syndrome- coronavirus - update

(article taken from www.who.int)

29 MAY 2013 - The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has notified WHO of an additional five laboratory-confirmed cases with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

All five patients are from the Eastern region of the country, but not from Al-Ahsa, where an outbreak began in a health care facility in April 2013. The patients had underlying medical conditions which required multiple hospital visits. The government is conducting investigations into the likely source of infection in both the health care and the community settings.

The first patient is a 56-year-old man with underlying medical conditions, who became ill on 12 May 2013 and died on 20 May 2013. The second patient is an 85-year-old woman with underling medical conditions who became ill on 17 May and is currently in critical condition. The third patient is a 76-year-old woman with underlying medical conditions who became ill on 24 May 2013 and was discharged from the hospital on 27 May 2013. The fourth patient is a 77-year-old man with underlying medical conditions who became ill on 19 May and died on 26 May 2013. The fifth patient is a 73-year-old man with underlying medical conditions who became ill on 18 May and died on 26 May 2013.

Additionally, a patient earlier reported from Al-Ahsa, an 81-year-old woman has died. The government is continuing to investigate the outbreaks in the country.

In France, the first laboratory-confirmed case in the country, with recent travel from the United Arab Emirates has died.

Globally, from September 2012 to date, WHO has been informed of a total of 49 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 27 deaths.

WHO has received reports of laboratory-confirmed cases originating in the following countries in the Middle East to date: Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). France, Germany, Tunisia and the United Kingdom also reported laboratory-confirmed cases; they were either transferred for care of the disease or returned from the Middle East and subsequently became ill. In France, Tunisia and the United Kingdom, there has been limited local transmission among patients who had not been to the Middle East but had been in close contact with the laboratory-confirmed or probable cases.

Based on the current situation and available information, WHO encourages all Member States to continue their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns.

Health care providers are advised to maintain vigilance. Recent travellers returning from the Middle East who develop SARI should be tested for MERS-CoV as advised in the current surveillance recommendations. Specimens from patients’ lower respiratory tracts should be obtained for diagnosis where possible. Clinicians are reminded that MERS-CoV infection should be considered even with atypical signs and symptoms, such as diarrhoea, in patients who are immunocompromised.

Health care facilities are reminded of the importance of systematic implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC). Health care facilities that provide care for patients suspected or confirmed with MERS-CoV infection should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus to other patients, health care workers and visitors.

All Member States are reminded to promptly assess and notify WHO of any new case of infection with MERS-CoV, along with information about potential exposures that may have resulted in infection and a description of the clinical course. Investigation into the source of exposure should promptly be initiated to identify the mode of exposure, so that further transmission of the virus can be prevented.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.

WHO continues to closely monitor the situation.

Nearly 150,000 Pinoys in danger of losing jobs with new Singapore policy

SOURCE: ANDREI MEDINA, GMA NewsApril 13, 2013 3:30pm

Close to 150,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Singapore are in danger of losing their jobs after the Singaporean government decided to strictly implement a policy in July which will limit the number of foreign workers in that country.

 

According to "State of the Nation's" Victoria Tulad, the Singaporean Ministry of Man Power (MoM) will be limiting the number of foreign workers because of complaints from the locals.

 

The report said Singapore locals are claiming that foreign workers are becoming competition when it comes to job hunting, education, housing, and social services.

 

Although the policy has been in place for more than a year already, a detailed regulation of the policy was released in February which may worsen the situation for foreign workers.

According to the regulations, starting in July, three major changes will be made:

 

(1) the minimum salary requirement of foreign applicants seeking a work pass will be increased 

 

(2) the monthly levy of companies that hire foreign workers will be increased

 

(3) the total ratio of foreign to local workers will be reduced in favor of the latter

 

Close to 150,000 OFWs affected

 

Similar to the US, Singapore is considered to be a melting pot of different races.

 

According to the National Population and Talent Division of Singapore, the country's 5.31 million population is comprised of 3.82 million local residents and 1.49 million foreign residents.

 

The foreign residents include 146,613 OFWs in Singapore, according to data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

 

It also adds that Singapore is the third land based destination of OFWs aside from Middle Eastern countries like Saudi and United Arab Emirates which top the list respectively.

Not only Filipinos

 

Meanwhile, a Philippine labor official said Filipinos are not the only foreigners who will be affected by the Singaporean policy.

 

 “Maaapektuhan ang ibang lahi din naman po," said Vicente Cabe, the Philippine Labor Attaché to Singapore.

He said there are just specific industries which will be affected such as the service industry which is easier to replace with local workers.

 

“Yung ating medical workers like nurses, ay hindi naman po nila basta-bastang mapapalitan yan... May mga sektor din namang walang masyadong Pilipino, like laborers in the construction industry kokonti lang naman ang mga Pilipino diyan,” Cabe explained.

 

Laid off

The report cited a Filipina who has been working in Singapore for four years as a hotel supervisor but was laid off due to the policy.

 

In an interview with Tulad, Joy Malaluan said, “Ang goal nila ngayon is to boost the Singapore economy through the locals, not through foreign workers,” Malaluan explained.

 

According to Malaluan, some Filipinos are resorting to different means just to have their stay in Singapore as tourists extended.

 

“Nag eexit sila in other countries para pag bumalik ng Singapore extended yung visit pass nila,” she said.

However, instead of doing this, Philippine authorities said the affected Filipino workers can just look for jobs in other countries, including the Philippines.

 

“Sa Pilipinas may reintegration programs din naman tayo kung saan matutulungan naman sila na magsimula ng negosyo,” Cabe said.

 

Not in favor
 

Lhes Hugo, a Filipino who has been working in the Singapore's retail and service industry for over a year said he was against the policy.

 

“Against [ako] sa policy pero siyempre MoM na ng Singapore ang nag implement so as foreign workers wala naman [tayo] magagawa kundi sumunod na lang,” Hugo told GMA News Online.

 

Hugo said he was worried about the policy because it was difficult to find a job especially at this time.

 

He also mentioned that other Filipino workers in Singapore are generally worried and have been searching for ways to solve this bind that they're in.

 

“Worried din [sila]. Yung iba nag apply na sa iba para makakuha ng new contract then yung iba waiting for meeting sa office [to discuss possible alternatives],” he said adding that he himself is already preparing for the worst.

 

“Madami kasing locals ang nag complain about foreign workers. Mas madami na daw ang foreign [workers] kaysa sa locals at mas malaki [pa] ang sweldo [ng foreign workers],” he explained. - VVP, GMA News

Structures of the brain and what it controls.

Structures of the brain :

Cerebrum - divided into 4 fissures:

• frontal lobe - site of personality, memory, reasoning, concentration, and motor control of speech
• parietal lobe - site of sensation, integration of sensory information and spatial relationships
• temporal lobe - site of hearing, speech, memory, and emotion
• occipital lobe - site of vision and involuntary eye movements

Thalamus - receives inputs from all the sense except the olfaction ( sense of smell)

Hypothalamus - controls sleep and wakefulness, temperature, respiration, blood pressure, sexual arousal, fluid balance and emotional response.

Cerebellum - controls muscle movement regulates muscle tone, maintains balance and controls posture. 

Midbrain - mediates pupillary reflexes and eye movement

Pons - regulates perspiration 

Medulla Oblongata  - contains vomiting, vasemotor, respiratory, and cardiac centers.

Working Abroad! Wala na bang ibang paraan?

In the past few months I have been jumping from one agency/consultancy right after the other hoping that I could land my feet on a country that would compensate me and my service appropriately. 

If only Filipino Nurses are well compensated no one would wanted to work abroad. I think the hungriness of a lot Pinoys' to help and support their families is their living principle for working in a foreign land while fighting with racism , detachment and homesickness. 

I have spoken to a lot of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) online and the struggle is not very admirable.  They take care of people they don't know while the desire of taking care of their own families leaves them sleepless at night.

Oh well, I failed in different angles. It's either I lack the experience , my documents are incomplete or maybe its just working overseas is  not really for me. I am very much delighted to be able to help sick people (in Phil.) through my job and little by little I can ease their sorrows and pain but I am also dreaming to attain greener pasture for the love of the one above us.

BUT maybe it isn't my time yet. However while I am still in my home grown country, I will spend my time , my service, my loyalty, and my love to the people who matters to me most. 

SELF BREAST EXAMINATION

I had a 23 year old patient diagnosed with Breast Cancer ; Stage 4. It’s not odd to have end stage cancer at that certain age but I must say it is rare. Early symptoms are easy to detect by having a self breast examination.  Early detection is way 100% better than getting mastectomy at the later stage. There is no better cure for it but to do a self-assessment or BSE Breast Self Exam. So I will share a simplified chart on how it is done. 

It is best done 2 to 3 days after the menstrual period when breasts are no longer tender and swollen. For menopausal woman, it can be done on the first day of every month. TIP: It is best to keep a calendar of menstrual cycle to keep the notion on track. If you notice a lump, discharges from the nipple, dimpling or puckering of the skin, you should see a doctor at once. 

Non Ulcer (Functional) Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is  the term given  for group of symptoms that originates  problem in the upper part of the abdomen. Non Ulcer Dyspepsia causes pain and dysfunction of the upper tract of the gastro intestinal system.
Pain and discomfort may be encountered in an intermittent pattern. Symptoms usually come and go more often and is always related to eating. The most common symptoms include: heartburn , bloating, belching, fatiguability, nausea and vomiting, easily gets full after a small meal. Other symptoms resmebles that of an ulcer like.

other related site: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Dyspepsia-Non-ulcer-(Functional).htm

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